I quite adore this Regency series. After the last romance with the intense and highly intelligent Lord Christmas Gale and several murders at the center, I wasnât sure what awaited me here with this couple.
Yes we were given glances of the pair in book 2 but I wasnât quite prepared for the dry and funny opening here. Honestly, it reads like a Tale of Two Twits, albeit very well dressed and well bred ones.
But this is Rock and Henry , so the twits at hand who are about to make their debut and have their first Season , have a rivalry that starts to spiral immediately into a story of personal growth, a bit of sexy romping about, some madcap adventures and finally true love.
Yes our lovely boyish twits of fashion and the Tonne become young vulnerable and often poignant men who, after some introspection and advice, find the lives theyâve lead a bit lacking in kindness and decide on a new path, together. Happily.
Itâs really a kind, sweet, story and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Plus it sets up one Iâve been dying to read. That of Lord Soulden. Thatâs next up in A Sanctuary for Soulden.
This a just a remarkably great and romantic series, each story contains bits of the others and their characters who are truly noteworthy.
Read them in the order they are written for a simply splendid romantic Regency journey. I recommend all those releases to date.
Series – The Lords of Bucknall Club
A Husband for Hartwell #1
A Case for Christmas #2
A Rival for Rivingdon #3
A Sanctuary for Soulden #4. – coming soon
Synopsis.
He must marry well, to secure his fortune.
The Honourable Loftus Rivingdon is poised to make his debut into Society. Heâs beautiful, charming, and quite the catch of the Season. If only he could find the right hat. With the zealous assistance of his doting mother, Loftus has one ambition only: to meet and marry a wealthy peer. And Loftus knows just the peerâthe dauntingly handsome, infinitely fashionable Viscount Soulden. Good thing thereâs nothing standing in his way.
He must also marry well, to secure his fortune.
The Honourable Morgan Notley is poised to make his debut into Society. Heâs beautiful, charming, and quite the catch of the Season. And he has just found the perfect hat. With the zealous assistance of his doting mother, Morgan has one ambition only: to meet and marry a wealthy peer. And Morgan knows just the peerâthe dauntingly handsome, infinitely fashionable Viscount Soulden. Good thing thereâs nothing standing in his wâ
Damn it all to hell.
Their ambitions collide.
When Loftus and Morgan both set their sights on Soulden, the rivalry of the Season begins. Their mutual hatred escalates into spite, sabotage, and scandal, as all of Society eagerly waits to see which diamond of the first water will prevail. Except the course of true loathing, just like true love, never did run smooth. The harder they try to destroy each other, the closer they come to uncovering each otherâs deepest vulnerabilitiesâand the more difficult it becomes to deny the burning attraction between them.
A Rival for Rivingdon is the third book in the Lords of Bucknall Club series, where the Regency meets m/m romance. The Lords of Bucknall Club can be read in any order.
Itâs officially hockey season again and Iâd thought Iâd celebrate by reviewing a hockey romance by a favorite author who loves this sport and itâs athletes as much as I do.
This sport seems to attract wonderful writers who are just as obsessed by its fast paced athleticism and unbelievable drama on ice as itâs gorgeous international teams of talented, intense athletes.
Lucky us, the readers!
Risking the Shot is the fourth story in Aislinâs Side Stick series, a fantastic group of hockey romances if you arenât familiar with it yet. Mostly centered around a certain group of LGBTG players in various stages of coming out, finding love, and what the ramifications are for their careers in the NHL, itâs a great and varied journey.
Taylor âTayâ Cunningham, a forward for Toronto is bisexual and at ease with his sexuality. However, heâs ready to come to come out to the public,tired of hiding his truth. Itâs a matter of timing. Thereâs his teamâs run for the playoffs, his college courses, and then the new guy heâs seriously crushing on, the single dad from the Foundation.
Tay is such a likable, well rounded character. Easy to picture, so relatable and adorable. The issues he has that become clear? They are ones people see in other families and can connect to.
The man heâs crushing on? Single dad and part-time baker Dakota Cotton, brother to another NHL player in Burlington ( we will see him later). Dakota comes with a realistic and absolutely adorable 4 year old boy, Andy.
The relationship and work the men do on themselves, the trust issues, communication channels, goals for themselves and as a couple⊠we watch it all get worked through with so much love and care. With a great amount of very hot sex thrown in. Fans self. Plus the added joy of a growing family dynamics with Andy who has his own abandonment issues because of his mother.
I love this little family group so much.
The wonderful addition of the quirky, fascinating characters flowing around them is just that depth of storytelling that gives this series that spice and oomph to make it stand out.
Iâm really not ready for book 5 to roll out, not if it means an end to another hockey series. Sigh. I mean the season just got started.
Yes Iâm highly recommending this and the series. Start reading in the order they are written. And enjoy!
On an aside note. If you love scotch, this is also a wonderful tour through some of the best scotch brands out there. Iâm a scotch person myself and while the author listed many I was familiar with and had tasted, she had some that were complete unknowns and had me making notes. Ty, Amy Aislin!
Synopsis:
Time for distractions? Hardly.
A chance at making the playoffs? Itâs a dream for NHL forward Taylor Cunningham that just might come true. If he can keep his eyes on the ballâahem, puck. And study for midterms. Dakota Cotton, eleven years his senior, isnât just a distraction, thoughâheâs everything Tayâs ever wanted.
Dakota has no interest in introducing someone who might not stick around to his four-year-old son. Been there, done that, with the divorce to prove it. But thereâs something about Tay that hits all of the right buttons and has him wanting to take a chance.
As things heat up between them, and the pressure to succeed hits an all-time high, will they risk a shot at happiness or choke?
Resilient Heart is an expanded short story that appeared in an earlier released collection of stories. Here the author has added an additional 10k words to give her characters a closure to their romance.
I didnât read the first version and love this author so I thought this was a new release and took it that way when reading it.
Albert takes on some very hard, emotionally traumatic themes in Resilient Heart. Very current and tragic ones that are still impacting families and the country today. Thatâs our disabled veterans, and their dire need for support and treatment. Itâs just not from our current wars and engagements but also from Desert Storm and wars past. The effects of war donât cease to exist because the war does, history has taught us that.
Itâs a lesson Iâm not sure weâve learned.
These themes are woven through a years long relationship/romance between two soldiers. Mackie and Xander. Itâs Xander whoâs in need of support and treatment, not that heâs accepting it.
Xanderâs life is shattered along with his NETCOM unit when a IED exploded under their truck, killing most, leaving Xander scarred and an amputee. You might say Xander stands in for that population of our disabled vets, angry, depressed, a victim of PTSD and with a body he no longer recognizes.
A two person POV narrative helps the reader get under Xanderâs mindset all the times heâs struggling with his emotional and physical âbattlesâ and losing. Xanderâs not comprehending what is happening to him mentally or equipped to deal emotionally with his disability and ending his career with the Army.
Mackey is harder to connect with here for me because much of the information heâs withheld from Xander is also withheld from the reader. Heâs back in Xanderâs life, after totally realigning his career for Xander and Xanderâs rehabilitation. This after years of apparently a friends with benefits only relationship. Nothing more.
Even with Mackieâs perspective, Iâm not sure I didnât agree with Xander most of the time here and think nope, no clarity. Itâs a complete guilt trip for Mackie.
So when the truth does come out, and the climax of the story hits, it works against the romance for me in a way perhaps the author didnât intend.
Mackie not only never gave Xander any options or opportunity to have any say but even after itâs out, Xander never completely âownsâ his truth. Calls himself a coward but never tells Mackie the truth, his truth about those decisions. What he, Xander, would have done given the opportunity. Instead, he keeps it âhidden â. No clarity between them still.
Felt wrong, felt like an imbalance in this relationship. Just my opinion.
The event does get Xander into therapy and medication is realistic. It ends well for him.
Just an aside. Walter Reed or the Naval Medical Hospital as it both known here locally is 243 acres of clinics, doctors and specialists. Itâs sits across the street from NIH, which Iâm very familiar with. It too is a small city at its head is a certain Dr. Fauci. National Institute of Health is a small city of 300 acres of buildings, clinics, doctors and scientists. Itâs not unusual to see uniforms walking between campuses and white jackets scurrying under the lights across 355 as workdays and worlds intertwine.
Albert certainly gets the area right.
However, Walter Reed has just 244 hospital beds available. The local area alone? Home to Fort Derrick , Andrews AFB, Ft McNair, Joint Base Ft Myer-Henderson, Ft Meade, Aberdeen, more than I can name off the top of my head. You have any idea how many military are deployed in and around this area? 244 beds? Do the RL disabled vets get the same type of experience as Xander? Immediate response to the need for assistance, for therapy, and support? Not really, most donât.
I only wish it were so.
While I enjoyed the romance Iâm not sure a short story can unpack all the aspects of the huge themes and emotional elements Albert was trying to deal with here and do them justice.
There was too much left to discuss in what Mackie had done , to them and their relationship as well as what the repercussions had meant going forward. That was sort of brushed off.
As was his depression and PTSD. That was taken care of far more easily then it often happens in RL. The reality I know of the VA and the disabled veterans clashes too much with the rosy picture painted here.
So yes, some lovely things and some things that seem less than realized. I think thatâs due primarily to the length and not the author.
If you like Annabeth Albert, you might have already read this story and will enjoy the relationship epilogue.
Her Out of Uniform series are terrific and Iâd look there for a great series to start.
Synopsis:
Originally released as part of the Unconditional Surrender bundle, now available as a stand-alone novella complete with BRAND-NEW 10,000 word short story/epilogue. When a wounded soldier is forced to accept help from his former best friend, both men discover the true strength of their entwined hearts.
Army IT specialist Xander keeps his emotions wired as tight as his NETCOM gear, but when heâs seriously injured by an IED, his whole life unravels. Running out of options, Xander must accept help from his ex-friend-with-benefits, Mackey. However, Xanderâs had feelings for Mackey for years, and close quarters only complicates his emotions. Further, Xander doesnât know which is worse: combating his inner demons or dealing with Mackeyâs guilty kindnesses.
Mackeyâs always kept his emotions close to his chest, but now heâs got a secret that could destroy his one chance with the man he cares far too much for. Both men will have to heal their wounded hearts to ensure a future together.
Entwined Future: In this new short story, Mackey has news that could change everything for him and Xander, but a visit from Xander’s family jeopardizes Mackey’s plans–and forces Xander to confront some harsh truths
Recently Iâve been reading books with older characters, in their 40âs and one aspect Iâve appreciated about these stories from various authors is the open and adult communication that flows between most of these characters.
Firefly Lane is a great example of this level of open communication. It exists not just among the primary characters but also throughout the community of the town of Harmony, whether itâs blunt questions or advice. Itâs still on the open adult communication scale .
Hartâs themes for this story run the gamut from the ability to grow and change oneâs outlook, no matter your age to the notion that finding your true home has no timetable. Even such basics as you arenât your parents. Thereâs a multitude of storylines here. All unpacked with care and intelligence.
At the heart of the story is not a couple of men but more a intersecting triangles of families, all of equal importance to this story and beautifully crafted.
The first family that launches the novel and action is that of two siblings. Holden Barnett, pilot out of Atlanta, and his estranged younger sister, Marilee Young, and her teenage son Sean. The sister and son in deep need, living in Harmony, NC.
The second family, one thatâs deeply established and well liked in town is that of Monroe âRoeâ Covington of the huge Covington family, his teenage son Wyatt who he had with his best friend Lindsey. Roe is out gay man to all around him and has been since his teenage years, although his closeness to Lindsey has people thinking , wrongly, they still might get together.
The foundation Hart starts to lay down here for the series is solid. We feel a warm, layered community, full of interesting people, some busybodies, many far more intriguing and caring.
And as we see our way around Harmony and get to know the citizens, the past histories and real issues are coming to the surface within the two families.
Itâs never just problems with Holden and Marilee and Sean. Because their heavy issues impact Roe, Wyatt, and Lindsey. All as we watch, we see parents/uncles weighing what effect their adult relationships will have on their sons as well as their sons/nephews relationships. Yes, people actually acting as responsible adults. Love it.
All the while, keeping the romance sexy, endearing, and vulnerable.
Thereâs also a back history of parental abuse ( mentioned , never seen) with Holden and Marileeâs folks as well as Seanâs father Adam, Marileeâs absent husband. That plays into much of the story here, and finally figures into the personal growth.
I found this to be a terrific story. So many layers, great characters and foundation Town to get acquainted with.
I canât wait to the next in the series and eagerly look forward to seeing all these people and couples once more.
Synopsis: At forty-three, Holden Barnett is getting along just fine. His job as a pilot keeps him from getting restless, and heâs got a man who doesnât want promises for the future. One phone call from his estranged sister changes everything. She needs his help, so Holden drops everything and heads to Harmony, a small town in Briar County, which represents everything heâs tried to avoid in life.
Monroe Covington is forty-five and happy. He loves his lifeârunning his store, helping at his familyâs farm, and spending his days with his best friend, Lindsey, and their son, Wyatt. Sure, half the town likes to forget heâs gay, and heâd love for the queer population to be bigger, but Roe makes do. He misses dating, relationships, and a man to hold at night, but at least he gets new eye candy when Holden, the brother of the woman whoâs renting his cabin, shows up.
The attraction is instant, the friendship not far behind, but between Holdenâs initial relationship status, family complications, and the two of them wanting different things, theyâre a disaster waiting to happenâŠonly it doesnât feel that way, not with how much time they spend talking, laughing, and eventually, tumbling into bed, a field, or the back of a truck together. The closer they get, the more Holden realizes that just being fine isnât enough, and Roe begins to see that his life isnât as complete as he thought. Now, if they could only sort out the rest of itâŠ
Firefly Lane is a small town, strangers-to-friends-to-lovers summer romance with no cheating, mature characters who talk out their problems, like to work with their hands, and have amazing chemistry. Did I mention they watch movies in the company of goats?
Here it is. The final story and the end of a series I really donât want to say goodbye to. Hmmm perhaps the author will give me a path to potentially seeing them all againâŠ.
Anyway⊠back to Drilled . Itâs that wonderful best friends to enemies to lovers story we all love to read.
What? Thatâs not a trope? Sure it is. If not perhaps it will be after this book.
Apollo Day, the scowling brooding hunk at the Four Bears Construction Company has always been a bit of a mystery man. While not above joining in ,albeit quietly at night, in the groupâs company many pranks, and in the Friday night Wollseyâs get togethers, he still has managed to remain a bit of a unknown quantity.
Then the newest hire shows up and that threatens to shatter any calm Apollo has demonstrated and the new home heâs building within the company. Not that heâs admitting that.
The new guy? Thatâs forty year old construction builder Ridgeway âRidgeâ Tanner. Heâs recently returned to Wisconsin, a place he formerly called home. Still, heâs shocked to see standing in the office of the company thatâs just hired him a man he hasnât seen in 15 years. Behind them a shared past in which they were once so close no one knew the other better then themselves. Until he detonated everything in a single day and they both lost it all.
Mini explosions start the story off immediately as Apollo wonât tell Cole and the rest of the company why thereâs bad history between Ridge and himself. Ridge wonât enlighten the crew either. But both are needed on a special jobsite as all the others now have partners/husbands, increasing responsibilities outside of work.
The special work order includes a month long restoration job at a summer camp that both Apollo and Ridge first think is a prank but is in fact an important and large scale camp renewal. At a remote location.
This is a perfect way for the reader and the men to connect/reconnect. Because at first nothing of their former history is mentioned. But the daily construction work and interaction starts bringing up old memories.
Again, the 2 man POV is an intimate format to share the thoughts and feelings of men not inclined to voice their pain and anger , especially of those struggling with their emotions and memories as these two are.
Stubbornness and silence, the need to escape rather then confront an issue, things that seems to be Apolloâs fallback measures. All in full force.Until Ridgeâs efforts to make Apollo listen to him finally make the past and the events that broke them apart make sense.
Itâs a fine line here between what should be revealed and spoilerville. Itâs just not worth it because the central conflict is also a major part of the reveal and a revelation. So it will remain not a part of this review. Iâll just say the anticipation leading up doesnât disappoint.
All the stories have had such different angles to them. Men needing to earn partners trust who have had been relationships, men overcoming their own mistakes and fears as well as assumptions about true love, men coming out of the closet late in life, age gap, a trans man completely at home in his body but a partner to be whoâs not, but all those weâve basically followed from meeting to HEA. Even Miller and Demetriâs childhood camp past was briefly mentioned but happy mostly , puking incident aside.
But this is the first story where the past severely impacts the menâs present. That their history has caused them both such deep emotional damage over the years becomes obvious. Especially in the stunted romantic areas. Neither has had a committed relationship, and neither has forgotten the other.
Nuehold brings the pain one pleasure of remembered past through so clearly here. Itâs in the gestures, frustration that boils over, and the stress and strain of the enforced physical presence of each other. The reader feels it as much as Ridge and Apollo.
When all the secrets are revealed, itâs not the happiest of environment youâd expect. Because then all the What ifs come naturally into play , all the regrets, guilt, and what it all means now in their current lives.
That the reader wants them together is obvious. They are made for each other. But again thereâs some very realistic hurdles to overcome here. Do they? Of course, this is the Four Bears Construction series so we and they get their HEA joyous ending!
All the men and their partners/husbands make a showing here. Of course. Thereâs humor, because this series is full of laughter. Thereâs animals. Cats this time.
And a HEA finale. No really a link to a story that sees all the couples a few years in the future all together at a birthday party. Simply wonderful way to tie it all up.
I had questions because Nuehold has created some memorable characters here that have lived and moved in and out of the lives of our couples. One has been Porter, a full on vet at the end of this story. Poor Porter, Watsonâs bestie, went out on dates with a few of the guys and it never ended well for such a sweet man.
He ends up here swearing heâll marry the next big, hunky bear carrying a box of abandoned bunnies he sees. Be still my heart. Pls give this man his bear and bunnies.
Plus through Demetri ,West and yes Ridge, we got familiar with Auggie (Demâs neighbor) and Tallahassee (sometime date of two of the guys) from the Big Bull Mechanics Shop. Great news!
Next up from this author? Yup the Big Bull Mechanics series. Auggie is another great character as is Tallahassee. Canât wait to see them again and maybe one will be Porterâs bunny man. I can always hope.
So while normally Iâd be bereft at having to say goodbye to these amazing people and their joy-filled, sweet, heartwarming love stories, Iâm looking forward to the next group of bears and hopefully a sighting or two from these books.
Honestly what a lighthearted, happy reads each one is. Iâm sure Iâll be revisiting them at some time.
Because as Stoney would sayâŠ
âNonsense makes the heart grow fonder.â
Nonsense, humor, sweetness, and so so much love.
My heart is so fond of these couples and books it feels huge.
Yes highly recommended. I think they should be read in order because itâs just more fun to see the progression that way.
So hereâs the list:
Four Bears Construction series and their animals:
đ”Caulky #1: Cole and Renâs bees
đ”Nailed #2: Stone and Dare: Rudy and Nard Dog
đ”Hardwood #3, Ev and Watson, Hedgehog
đ”Screwed #4 Ollie and Daniel: Monty the Python
đ”Stud #5, West and Sawyer: Huey, Luey, Duey, Darkwing
đ”Stripped #6, Miller and Dem,
Mars and at the end Shelldon, omg so adorable. Yes tortoises!
đ”Drilled #7 the finale. Apollo and Ridge, cat Log and family. Iâve been waiting to see a cat tbh.
đ”Goats Like Cake Too: Four Bears Construction Series Epilogue- free story linked on Drilled.
A month in a remote cabin with the last man I ever expected to see again? I canât decide if I should punch him or drill him. It might end up being both.
After more than a decade, the last person I expected to see walk into the Four Bears Construction offices as a new hire was Ridge.
He was my first crush, and my first heartbreak when he started dating my sister. When he left her at the altar without so much as a note, I wrote him off for good.
No amount of excuses and explanations can erase what he did. At least thatâs what I keep telling myself. But when we end up being sent to a remote campground alone to spend a month rebuilding the cabins, itâs too easy to remember why I fell for him in the first place.
I know the guys are all taking bets on how long it takes us to start playing with each otherâs tools.
Itâs going to be a long month.
*** Drilled is a forced proximity, best friends-to-enemies-to-lovers, hilarious and steamy, final book in the Four Bears Construction series. It can be read as a stand alone but you won’t want to miss this whole hilarious and hot series. No bear shifters, only the other kind of burly, hairy bears
Stud, the fifth novel in the Four Bears Construction series, is a great example why one should read these stories in the order they were written.
Over the past four novels and romances, weâve watched the West and Sawyer drama.
Or non drama. Because, although a stone could tell how much in love West has been with the bar owner since the first time they met, Sawyer has firmly kept West in the friend zone, if that. Book after book, glances, even a trip to Hawaii which we get caught up on here, we have seen these two men in serious denial/want about each other.
But in Stud, everything changes. And per this series,the swing in dynamics starts off hilariously. Omg, China dolls! Nope, no spoilers.
West , the nephew of Dareâs (Stoneâs mechanic husband),has been a great character throughout the series. Heâs been supportive, funny, all the while going through his own amount of personal growth as a young man and craftsman. Heâs amazing. So Iâve been waiting for him to get his man and HEA.
Neuhold not only obliges with a funny, warm-hearted romance but an unexpected reunion that gives us all a wonderful closure.
Sawyer has been a peripheral character , one we see at Wooleyâs, the bar he inherited from Gus , itâs previous owner, snd the gangs favorite hangout.
In Stud, Sawyerâs past , as astonishingly does Gusâs in a remarkably poignant story element, comes into focus. We see exactly why heâs held West at a distance for so long despite his feelings, and the turmoil inside him when West declares heâs going to start dating.
That declaration jumpstarts Sawyer and his mixed up heart and mind on a strange, funny and quite wonderful path to HEA with West , a restored Victorian, and a bunch of feathered kids. Oh my.
One element Iâve adored in each book has been the great pet/animal(s) per couple. I have sometimes forgotten to mention it. Shame on me because itâs a terrific part of each story and couple.
So hereâs the list so farâŠ.
Four Bears Construction series animals:
đ”Caulky #1: Cole and Renâs bees
đ”Nailed #2: Stone and Dare: Rudy and Nard Dog
đ”Hardwood #3, Ev and Watson, Hedgehog
đ”Screwed #4 Ollie and Daniel: Monty the Python
đ”Stud #5, West and Sawyer: Huey, Luey, Duey, Darkwing
đ”Stripped #6, Miller and Dem,
Mars and at the end Shelldon, omg so adorable. Yes review to come. Yes tortoises!
đ”Drilled #7 the finale. Apollo and Ridge, cat Log⊠been waiting to see a cat tbh. Review to comeâŠ
How do you not love a series that folds in such great animals along with sensitive and funny romances?
Thatâs easy to answer. I do. I do love them.
Each different and great couple, each amazing path to love and HEA.
I donât have many left. Sort of dreading saying goodbye. But not yet. A few to go.
What a wonderful, heartwarming and joy filled journey itâs been so far.
Like all the others, I hope youâre on this one with me. I highly recommend this one . Stay with me till the end .
Stud: A boss, knob, or nail head…or, you know, the hot guy whoâs way too young to keep asking me out with that adorably earnest smile âŠ
Itâs been three years since West walked into my bar and asked me out for the first time. I was relieved he stopped asking after the first few ânoâs and a way-too-good-to-be-real kiss. Heâs fifteen years younger than I am; it can only lead to trouble.
Of course, now heâs running through people off dating apps like itâs his job and wearing these lace panties that look really unfair on someone as furry and muscular as he is, and, um…what was I talking about?
I probably shouldnât sabotage his dates, but Iâm only human. I might not be ready to admit that I want him, but Iâm definitely not ready to let anyone else have him either.
Heâs too perfect, too hot, and I am in way too much troubleâŠ
*** Stud is a friends-to-lovers, construction-worker-in-panties, omg-so-much-swoon story that happens to be the fifth book in the Four Bears Construction Series. Every book in this series CAN be read as a stand alone, but theyâre a lot more fun together!
Once again this series goes into a different direction with Everett Aldridge and his road to HEA.
We have had Cole who wasnât looking for love when he found Ren, his forever Honeybee. Then there was is hilarious bighearted Stoney who managed to find his true love just next door in his neighbor, Dare.
I did rush ahead to get Ollieâs story in Screwed #4 but I wonât spoil how wonderful that turned out here. But there are definitely inklings about.
Nope. Hardwood, double entrendreâ intended, is all Everett. And what a story it is. Because itâs not just a romance but also Evâs path towards coming out of the closet heâs sealed himself into for decades. Itâs about letting go of his fears, finding himself as a gay man later in life.
Thatâs a lot to unpack.
Especially if youâre also a father to a young daughter, Livi, and still have a ex wife ,Valerie, you maintain a good relationship with who needs to be told.
Thereâs a LGBTGiA crew and work family that are comfortable with themselves and their sexuality youâve known for years thats clueless youâre gay. Now Everett needs to tell them who he really is. Because no one really knows who he is. Maybe even himself.
Thatâs so much pressure and guilt on top of the enormous feelings of insecurity and fear pressing down on Ev that you can almost hear him gasping for air.
The two person POV thatâs a format of this series works beautifully to give us real insight into Everettâs emotional state and situations as he decides to reveal his sexuality and come out as a gay man.
Itâs poignant, frustrating as he vacillates at points on deciding when is exactly the right timing, his fears and excitement on his âgay firstsâ. Nuehold does such an outstanding job bringing us along with him on this journey. We are there standing on the edge with Ev time after time as he works up the courage to finally see what and who his truth self is. Bravery isnât always huge steps but small ones.
And sometimes who need someone to support you and show you the way. That would be Watson.
Watson Bolt, the music teacher, is amazing . From his school interactions with other teachers to his song choices (young tunes and Broadway worthy showstoppers), Wats is a gem of a character. Heâs such a lovely layered person, especially flirty, generous, outgoing, engaging, and vulnerable too. Love his hedgehog too.
I have to mention how much I appreciate the treatment Evâs ex wife , Valerie, gets here. Sheâs a well rounded personality, seen through loving eyes as a great person and good friend. Her part in their marriage and consequent divorce is handled with great sensitivity and love. So well done.
Everettâs journey from closeted divorced perceived âstraight dadâ to happy out gay divorced dad in a new relationship is a path strewn with small pitfalls, a few barriers , some awful dancing and one memorable finale.
I just loved it. It set me to singing.
Not baby shark, but maybe a Broadway musical tune or two.
Snap this story up along with all the others. Yes đ Iâm highly recommending it and the series.
Synopsis:
Iâve spent forty-four years of my life telling the world Iâm a carpet man. Is it too late to admit to myself and everyone else that deep down Iâm really all about the Hardwood?
It took me over thirty-five years to admit to myself that Iâm gay, another seven to find the courage to say it out loud to anyone else, and exactly thirty seconds to develop a massive crush on my daughterâs music teacher. Itâs really not my fault, have you even seen those cute bowties he wears?
After everything itâs taken to get here, am I going to work up the nerve to come out to my ex-wife and my best friends? Am I ready to shake up my comfortable, simple life and take a chance on Watson? Or am I going to throw a wrench in my own chance for happily ever after?
***Hardwood is a steamy, seriously so much delicious tension, single-dad, gay awakening, low angst story, which happens to be the third in the Four Bears Construction Series. It CAN be read as a stand alone. There are NO shifters in this series, only the OTHER kind of bears.
I skipped over Evâs story ,(Hardwood #3), to get to this one because the characters who are the focus here have been two of the group that have come across as the maybe the most vulnerable and also quite different from the majority of the men weâve met so far.
The vulnerable one would be Oliver âOllieâWilliams, brother to Cole Williams who fell in love with Ren, our beekeeper in the first story. Ollieâs unfortunate love life and many failed marriages have become an on-running joke at the construction company, one thatâs crushing him emotionally. Albeit unknown to the others. All Ollie has ever wanted is the love his parents have and itâs all heâs failed at.
That itâs become this huge joke is awful and we feel so bad for him and the pain heâs been hiding.
The other man? The extremely gorgeous and stylish Daniel McKean, paralegal , Renâs best friend. Danielâs had his share of terrible relationships and itâs made his outlook on true love and soulmates a bit jaundiced. He prefers friendships, expensive clothes and a love them /buhbye lifestyle.
That doesnât mean heâs not about to come to the defense of a man he seeâs suffering as the butt of a unfunny joke.
Honestly, I watched these two over the last two books and was going ⊠âyes, they are perfect â!
Fierce Daniel and a bewildered Ollie who couldnât see why he wasnât lovable. Be still my heart.
Where Nailed was so much laughter (goats and underwear đ€Łđ±), this is equal parts soul searching/character growth and still laughter, but perhaps a gentler sort.
Thereâs too much painful history in both menâs romantic history for this to be a giggle fest. Too much lack of trust , too much each has to learn about themselves and what it means to truly love someone and be in a real relationship.
They do it of course. Through that wonderful trope of a âfake husband â after a drunken wedding in Las Vegas.
What follows is real, funny, sweet, and, like all the others, a remarkably romantic journey towards true love and HEA.
One we adore taking with them.
This is a series where each couple is so different that they become a fav of mine, each in a different way. I love them all. And canât wait to read the next ones romance.
Honestly I finish each one feeling happy, light hearted, and joyful.
Thatâs something Iâm thankful for these days.
So yes Iâm highly recommending this book and the series.
It doesnât seem to matter where you start but Iâd still start at the beginning. Itâs just more fun that way to see the progression.
Synopsis:
I’ve had my fair share of less than proud relationship moments, but waking up married to my brother-in-law’s best friend is a new low.
A drunken wedding to a man who already rejected me once? Check. A hefty bet about how long it will last? Check. My feisty new husband, determined to make our friends pay up? Double check.
I’ve never managed to make a real relationship last nearly a year, there’s no way Daniel will stick around long enough to win this bet. The only problem is the longer he stays, the more the lines blur between what’s real and what’s for show. Does he feel it too or am I totally screwed?
***Screwed is a woke up married, faking it to their friends but also totally hooking up, sweet, STEAMY love story that happens to be the fourth book in the Four Bears Construction series. There are no bear shifters in this series, only the OTHER kind of bears
I mean I have all these other books lined upâŠmysteries, romance adventures, SyFi ⊠but I keep coming back to these guys and their clumsy, adorable journeys to HEA and true love.
Take Nailed, please. No , really, grab this one right up. Especially if youâre in need of laughter as well as romance.
And dogs. Such adorable dogs. I â€ïž Rudy. And Nerd Dog.
I laughed so much here.
One because Stone is one irresistible teddy bear of, well, a gorgeous bear of a man. Sweet, doesnât understand why everyone wouldnât like him, huge heart.
Youâre going to adore him. Iâm still cracking up over his understanding of traditional âsayings â. I wonât spoil them for you but they leave me in giggles even now, I just love him. I do. Soooo sexy too.
Then thereâs the neighbor,Dare Maslow . A bit grumpy, solitary but all with good reason as we eventually find out. Layers with this one. Heâs also the owner of the adorable Rudy.
This is such a great enemies to lovers story. I laughed so hard in places. I totally enjoyed their antics as they âfoughtâ and pranked their way to love. To say that I was thoroughly entertained by every step of their tumultuous relationship is to put it mildly. From highly sexy romps to downright hilarity, this couple kept the story flowing fast and so smoothly I was at the end before I knew it and wanted to be.
Of course, all the other âbearsâ and partners are there. Iâve gotten so fond of them as well.
Iâm actually jumping over to Screwed because I just need that story NOW.
Iâll come back to Evâs immediately after. Honestly, these men.
Anyway, Iâm staying the course. Iâm reading all the stories here until Iâm finished with the series. I need the happiness and laughter these men are bringing into my life at the moment.
Itâs such fun and light hearted joy. Iâm highly recommending them. Especially this one.
Synopsis:
My new neighbor is a total tool.
He hated me from the second he laid eyes on me, and I donât have the first clue why⊠But, if he wants to hate me, Iâm happy to give him a few reasons: mowing the lawn at dawn on the weekend, leaving garbage cans in front of his driveway, renting a petting zoo for my backyard…making a list of ways to drive him crazy is half the fun.
He deserves it with the way heâs driving me crazy right back without even tryingâ walking around without a shirt on, sweaty rippling muscles on full display, well-worn denim jeans perfectly molded to his…well, you get the idea.
My point is, if he wants a war, Iâll give him one.
***Nailed is an enemies to lovers, neighbors who can’t stand each other, omg the anger banging, drool worthy, low angst story, which happens to be the second in my Four Bears Construction series. It CAN be read as a stand alone. There are NO shifters in this series, only the OTHER kind of bears
Caulky is a totally sweet and sexy contemporary romance, the first in a new series about a group of single men working in a construction company.
Best way to describe it comes from a conversation between Cole and Ren where they saw their meeting as a sexy, porn worthy âYouâve Got Mailâ. Although neither could agree on who was Meg Ryan⊠đ€Ł
Full of humor and sweet insights into the scary nature of dating ,we watch them take as they finally agree to take towards something substantial and potentially wondrous.
Love both Cole and Ren as well as all the characters the surround them. We are likely to see each get their own story in this series and that includes Daniel, Renâs outrageous best friend.
The beekeeping element is well done and folded in beautifully along side Renâs character that it adds a depth not only to his personality but to the story as well. Love that.
My only slight quibble was the oddness of having a mother (Coleâs) threatening to âwash your mouth out with soap â because of a expletive. Heâs over forty. While he should respect her desire for a certain type of language in her house, she should also show some in return. But back to that phrase.
Not only is that ridiculous but Iâve always found that expression as offensive as it is old fashioned. It implies a measure of abuse thatâs no longer tolerated by society. That phrase shouldnât be either.
Just my opinion.
That aside, this is a marvelous romance. I adored both men and their relationship. I look forward to to seeing more of them , hopefully, in the novels that follow.
Now Iâm onto book two. Canât wait.
Need a new series and contemporary romance? Try this one, Iâm sure youâll enjoy it.
Synopsis;Ren is in desperate need of a rebound fling. Lucky for him, the smoking hot contractor he hired has just the tool for the job.
The last thing I want is another relationship or another broken heart.
All I need are my bees and the occasional hookup to scratch the itch.
Okay, maybe meeting up with my hot contractor weekly is a little more than occasional. And maybe the way Iâm starting to feel about the guy Iâve been anonymously chatting with online should concern me.
But CaulkyAF doesnât want to meet, and Cole doesnât want anything serious, so whatâs the worst that could happen?
****Caulky is book 1 in the Four Bears Construction series and can be read as a stand-alone. This is a funny, steamy MM story guaranteed to make you laugh and swoon. Absolutely NO cheating and NO love triangle. This series does NOT contain shifters, it’s the OTHER kind of bears.
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 